John stenwall



(NoMoiiel.) l A J. STENWALL.

P BRPORATING GANGBLNG STAMP.v No. 486,906. Patented NovzQ, 18921.-

T ms PETERS oo.. Pnovaumo.. wAsHlNamN, n4 c,

UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN STENWALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE B. F. CUMMINS COMPANY, ou

SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 486,906, dated November 29, 1892.

Applicatie ined Much 19. 1892.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN STENWALL, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,

have invented a new and useful Improvement in Perforating Canceling-Stamps, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a device of a strong, simple, and durable conto struction for use as a canceling andperforating stamp and by means of which a number of checks or papers may be simultaneously and easily perforated and canceled and to adapt the device for use in banks and countinghouses, where large numbers of checks or papers are required to be canceled and where it is desirable that the canceling-instrument should be capable of operating upon a stack or pile of checks at a time.

To this end my invention comprises a bedplate adapted to be fastened to a table or other support and furnished with a die-plate, in connection with a group of punches adapted and arranged to perforate canceling charac- 15 ters-such, for example, as theletters Paida plunger, and punch-plate secured thereto and having holes through which the punches pass and in which they loosely fit and by which the punches are loosely suspended by their 3o heads, so that they may be free to self-adj ust themselves to the die-plate and the guideplate, said plunger reciprocating in a suitable guide to which the guide-plate for the punches is attached, the plunger being operated by a lever having a pivoted toggle-link connecting the same with the plunger to give a knee-joint or toggle-leveraction to the pl unger, said punches being of dierent and graduated length, so that the different sets or se- ;o ries ot' punches shall come into operation successively, and the punches of the same length or series being arranged with approximate equality of number at each end and at each side of the center of the plunger, so that the plunger may operate squarely and the varyinglen gths of the dilerent sets of punches not tend to tilt the plunger or cause it to bind in its guides or to throw a side strain upon the punches themselves in their guide-plate 5o and die-plate.

The invention consists in the novel devices Serial No. 425.566. (No model.)

and novel combinations of parts and devices `herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part ot' this specification, and in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts, Figure l is a plan View of a perforating canceling-stamp embodying theinvention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation ot the same. Fig. 3 is a 6o central longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is a detail elevation of the punch and plungers. Fig. 5 is a plan view ofthe die-plate. Fig. 6 is asectionalview of the plunger, showing one longitudinalline of the punches, taken on the broken line6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the form ofthe punches and the manner ot' suspending the same loosely from the plunger bythe punchplate. 1

A In the drawings, A represents a table or other support to which thebed-plate B is secured by screws a. rlhe die-plate C is furnished with a series of holes c, one for each of the punches, and is rigidly secured to the bed-plate B by four pins or rivets c', the bedv plate B having a recess b to receive the dieplate.

Secured rigidly to the bed-plate B by dowels b and screw-bolt b2 is a frame-block D, fur- 8o nished with a guide or slideWayDforthe plunger F and a guide-plate G for the punches H. y The frame-block D is furnished with a capplate P, secured over the guide D by screws p, and which is furnished with a hole or bearing P for the stem F of the plunger to tit in. The punches I-I are each furnished with a head h, the heads of all the punches fitting loosely in a transverse slot or recess f in the lower face ofthe plunger F, and the punches 9o are all suspended loosely from the plunger F by a punch-plate F2, secured rigidly to the plunger F by screwsf. The punch-plate F2 is furnished with a series of holes f-one for each of the punches-which are made somewhat larger than the diameterot the punches,

so that the punches Will tit loosely therein to adapt them to automatically accommodate themselves in position and direction to the guide-holes g in the guide-plate Gand to the roo die-holes c in the die-plate C. rlhe depth of the slot or recess f in the lower face of the plunger F is likewise somewhat greater than the thickness of the heads h of the punches,

` so that the heads of the punches will not bind.

This is clearly shown in Fig. 7. For the same reason, also, the heads of the punches are made slightly rounding. The stern F of the plunger is furnished withv a slotf to receive the pivoted link R, by which the same is connected to the operating-lever T. The cap-plate P is furnished with ears P2, to which the operating-lever T is pivoted by a piu 2f. The link R is pivoted to the operating-lever by a pin t', which passes through ears t2 on the operating-lever T. These ears t2 constitute the short arm of the operating-lever and, in connection With the link R, give a very powerful pressure, somewhatin the natureor principle of a toggle-lever or knee-joint action as the pivotsf4, t', and approximate a straight line, when the punches H are thrust hom-e in the die-plate, as indicated in Fig. 3. The punches I-I have each square cutting faces or ends z, and the entire group of punches may be arranged to perforate any desired character or characters-such, for example, as the. letters Paid. These perfor-'atingpunches are of several different lengths, so that they may come into action successively, and thus lessen the force required to operate the stamp. As illustrated in the drawings the punches are thirty-seven in number,` and they are arranged in five different series or sets h2 h2 h4 h5 h6, the punches of each set being ofthe same length and the several sets of punches differing Ain length from each other slightly. Part of the punches of each set, as is clearly indicatedin Fig. 5 by lthe let-ters 'of reference h2 h2 h4 h5 h6, which indicate in this gure the relative position of the several sets of punches, are distributed With approximate equality about the center of the die or plunger, so that the resistance offered by each set of punches shall be distributed with approximate regularity about the center of .the operating-plunger. Dotted lines mm and 'y y are drawn on the angle or inclination of a line extending from the shortest punches .on one sid-e to the longest punches on the other and are intended to iu-dicate the distribution or arrangement of part of the short puncheson one side and part on the other and part of the long punches on one side and part on the other. lt will be seen or understood that the punches are each so small that it would not be possible to makeadotted line sim ply across the punches individually to indicate the shorter punches behind, and the extended dotted lines @c a: and y y are simply an expedient to indicatethelength ofpunches behind those Which are shown in this figure. This prevents any side strain or binding strain being thrown either upon the punches in their guide-plate or upon the plunger in its guide- Way and very materially increases the dfurability of the machine, and also insures its easy and proper operation.

The frame-block D is furnished with a rubber or yielding stop d for the handle-lever T to strike or rest against.

As the punches H are suspended loosely and freely from the plunger by their heads and can readily accommodate themselves to the guide-plate G and die-plate C, they operate freely and easily and Without binding, and there is little danger of their becoming broken or injured but. if any punch should be broken or injured or become Worn or the Whole set of punches become Worn it or they can be readily replaced by simply taking off the removable punch-plate. and freely in the punch-plate F2, there is no difficulty or labor required for securing or adjusting the punches in proper position, as is the case Where the punches are secured rigidly to their operating-plunger.

The punch-plate F2 is secured rigidly and firmly to the plungerF by four screwsf. The punch-guide plate G is secured rigidly to the frame-block D by screws or pins g', the block D being furnished with a suitable recess to receive it.

The thickness of the guide-plate G is such, in connection with the space c2 for the paper between the die-plate G and said guide-plate G, that the stroke of the plunger Will not draw the shortest punches entirely through or out of said guide-plate.

As illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, and `6, some of the longest set of punches are preferably dis,- tributed or arranged at each end and each side of the rectangular area occupied by the punches.

As the punches have square ends or cutlting-faces, they Will Wear evenly and regularly and make clean-cut perforations through the paper.

The punch-plate F2 being rigidly and di- Asthe punches .fit loosely- IOC rectly secured to the operating-plunger, which is connected positively with the operatinglever, serves as a positive device for Withdrawing the punches H by the reverse stroke of the lever T from the package of checks or papers being perforated or canceled, While the punch-guide plate G co-operatcs therewith in this operation to strip the' papers or checks from the punches and prevent the same from bein-g torn, as all the punches are Withdrawn therefrom simultaneously. This positive Withdrawal of the pun-ches by operation of the lever T on its reverse stroke is an important feature, as owing to the multitude of perforating-punches and the pile .or thicknesslof paper perforated thereby a spring Would not practically serve to perform this functiomand for a like reason the punch-,guide plate G, With its separate guide-holes g for eac-hof the punches, is an important element toy eifect the withdrawal of all the punches simultaneously from the pile of papers, as it prevents the tearing or mutilation of the pape-rs by .supporting the same close around and between each and all of the punches.

1. The combination, `in a canceling-Stamp,

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with a die-plate, of a plunger having a group of punches loosely suspended therefrom and arranged to perforate a canceling character or characters, a guide for said plunger, and a fixed guide-plate for guiding said punches, said guide-plate for said punches being secured rigidly to said pliinger-giiide, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, in a canceling-stamp, with a bed-plate and die-plate secured thereto, of a guide for said plunger, a group of punches having heads and arranged to perforate characters, a punch-plate secured to said plunger and having holes in which said punches loosely lit and from which plate said punches are loosely suspended by their heads, the holes in said punch-plate being of larger diameter than the punches, and a guide-plate for said punches, having holes therefor registering with the die-holes in said die-plate, said punchguide plate being secured to the plungerguide, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, in a canceling-stamp, with a bed-plate and die-plate secured thereto, of a plunger, a guide for said plunger, a group of punches having heads and arranged to perforate characters, a punch-plate secured to said plunger and having holes in which said punches loosely fit and from which punchplate said punches are loosely suspended by their heads, and a guide-plate for said punches, having holes therefor registering withl the dieholes in said die-plate, and a lever and connecting-link for operating said plunger positively in both directions, substantially as specified.

4. The combination, in a canceling-stamp, with a bed-plate and die-plate secured thereto, of a plunger, a guide for said plunger, a group of punches having heads and arranged to perforate characters, a punch-plate secured to said plunger and having holes in which said punches loosely fit and from which punchplate said punches are loosely suspended by their heads, a guide-plate for said punches, having holes therefor registering With the dieholes in said die-plate, a lever for operating said plunger, a cap secured to the guide for said plunger and furnished with ears to which said operating-lever is pivoted, and a connecting-link pivoted to said plunger and to the short arm of said lever and having a toggle or knee joint action therewith, substantially as specied.

5. The combination, with bed-plate B, havdie-plate Csecuredthereto and furnished with holes c, of frame-block D, secured to said bed B and furnished With plunger-guide'D and punch-guide G, having holes g, plunger F, having stein F and slot or recess f, punchplate Fhaving holes f2 to receive the punches, of larger diameter than the punches, punches H, having heads h, by which they are loosely suspended from said plate F2, cap P, secured to said block D and havinga hole or bearing P for the stem of said plunger; and ears P2,

link R, and operating-lever T, substantially as specified.

6. The combination, in a hand perforatingstamp, with a die-plate, of a plunger having a group of punches loosely suspended therefrom and arranged to perforate characters and a fixed guide-plate registering With said die plate for guiding said punches, said punches being in two or more different sets or series of graduated or different lengths, so that the several sets or series will come into operation successively, and said punches having square ends or ciittin gfaces, substantially as specified.

7. The combination, with a die-plate, of a plunger having a group of punches loosely suspended therefrom and a fixed guide-plate registering with said die-plate for guiding said punches, said punches being in two or more different sets or series of graduated lengths, so that the several sets or series will come into operation successively, and the punches of the saine length being distributed around the center of the plunger, thus causing the plunger to operate squarely, notwithstanding the different lengths of the punches, substantially as specified.

8. The combination, in aperfo'rating-stainp, of a group of punches having heads and arranged to perforate characters, a plunger carrying a punch-plate furnished with holes slightly larger in diameter than the punches and in which the punches fit loosely, said punches being loosely suspended from said plate by their heads, a guide for said punches, and a female die, substantially as specified.

9. The punch-carrying plunger F, having slot or recess f to receive the heads of the punches and provided with removable punchplate F2, secured to said plunger and furnished with a series of holes for the' punches of larger diameter than the punches, and 'a group of punches loosely suspended by their heads from said piinch-platc, said slot or recess in the plunger being but slightly deeper than the thickness of the punch-heads, so as to operate all the punches simultaneously and at the same time leave the punches loose and free to adjust themselves in position in respect to their guide-plate and the die-plate, in combination with a fixed die-plate and a fixed guide-plate for said punches, substantially as specified.

10. The combination, in a perforatingstamp, with abcd-plate and die-plate secured thereto, of a reciprocating plunger, a fixed guide for said plunger, a group of punches having heads and arranged to perforate characters, a punch-plate secured to said plunger .and having holes in which said punches loosely fit and from which plate said punches are loosely suspended by their heads, a fixed guide for said punches arranged just above the die-plate, so that the same will operate also asa stripper-plate to strip the paper from the punches as they are withdrawn, an operiol;

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ating-lever, and connecting-link for operating said plunger positively in both directions to perforate the paper and withdrawr the punchesr therefrom, substantially as specied.

1l. The combination, with bed-plate B,hav ing die-plate C, furnished with holes c, secured thereto, separate frame-block D, secured to said bed B and furnished with plunger-guide D', and a separate or removable punch-guide plate G, having holes g for the punches, of plunger F, having separate punchplate F2, furnished with holes for the punches, punches H, furnished With heads h, separate or removable cap P, secured to said block D, operating-lever T, pivoted to said cap P, and connecting-link R, pivoted to said lever and to said plunger, substantially as specified.

12. The combination, in a hand-operated performing-stamp, with a die-plate, of a plunger carrying a group of punches, the punches being in two or more sets of slightlyflifferent lengths to canse the same to comeinto operation successively, an operating-lever T, and connecting-link R, pivoted to the short arm of said lever and to said plunger, the two pivots of said link and the fixed pivot of said lever being combined and arranged,substan tially as shown and described, so that said three pivots approach more nearly a straight line,and thus increase the power of the lever as the successive sets of punches come into operation, substantially as specied.

JOHN STENWALL. Witnesses: c Y Y H. M. MUNDAY,

LEW. E. CURTIS. 

